Progress on the Chesapeake Bay

It’s been a great year for the Chesapeake Bay, a great couple of years for EQR, and the two are very much connected. I want to share some information relevant to what we do and why we do it:

There’s some reason for optimism in that what we are working hard to accomplish is making a real difference in improving the health of the Chesapeake:

• Underwater Grasses: The acreage covered increased 29% from 2015 to 2016. This a strong indicator of aquatic health: http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/green/blog/bal-gr-survey-finds-strong-growth-of-underwater-grasses-in-chesapeake-bay-20160428-story.html

• Dissolved Oxygen: Oxygen levels in the bay are the highest since 1985. This means a smaller “dead zone” where no fish or crabs can survive. This is a direct result of reductions in nitrogen and phosphorus levels: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-chesapeake-oxygen-levels-20160715-story.html

• Crabs: Experts are cautiously optimistic about 2016’s bumper crop: http://insider.si.edu/2016/04/smithsonian-expert-urges-caution-patience-on-blue-crab-recovery/

• Dolphins: Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins returned to the middle bay for the first time in living memory for some, and are seen as a sign that fisheries are becoming healthier: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/anne-arundel/ph-ac-cn-dolphin-sightings-chesapeake-0717-20160718-story.html

Most of the success in restoring a healthy ecosystem in the bay is due the reduction in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution. The work that each and every one of you does every day makes this reduction happen, and we starting to see the results.

There are still some causes for concern however, as the oyster population still struggles to recover, sea level rise continues to diminish the acreage of our remaining coastal marshes and wetlands, and more large sewage spills become commonplace as our aging infrastructure deteriorates. It’s also clear that although the bay’s “dead zone” from eutrophication is diminishing, the methane it produces is a bigger contribution to climate change than previously thought, and excess nitrogen and phosphorus from agriculture is at an all-time high. All the more motivation to keep improving our watersheds, one project at a time. For more information check: http://ecoreportcard.org/report-cards/chesapeake-bay/

Also of note: the devastating floods in Ellicott City have put a spotlight on the shortcomings of the predictive recurrence of storms method for flood control planning, as well as dangers of an impervious watershed with antiquated stormwater management. Obviously, there are improvements to be made across our region. Fortunately, EQR is ready to make them.

-Liam